Volume 1, Chapter 10: Her Allergen, Unknown to Him

“You finally made it.” Xu Xingyuan smiled warmly at Ji Shu, naturally linking her arm with hers. Immediately, the gazes of those nearby all shifted to Ji Shu.

“Let me introduce everyone—this is Ji Shu, my high school classmate.”

Someone let out a sigh of realization, “So she’s Xingyuan’s high school friend, no wonder she left us earlier to find you.”

“Xingyuan, all your friends look as beautiful as you.”

Xu Xingyuan waved her hand playfully, feigning a pout, “Don’t tease me.”

Ji Shu, uninterested in their insincere flattery, tried to pull her arm free.

At that moment, Xu Xingyuan turned to her and said, “Ji Shu, don’t mind their jokes. I’m going to the door to pick someone up. You all enjoy yourselves first.”

With that, she smoothly withdrew her hand from Ji Shu’s arm and headed toward the entrance.

After Xu Xingyuan left, the cluster of people who had been surrounding her gradually dispersed, returning to their previous spots—except for one man.

Since earlier, Ji Shu had noticed the man’s gaze drifting over her intermittently, and now that the crowd had thinned, his appraisal grew bolder.

The man seemed to realize the impropriety of his earlier behavior, hesitated briefly, then stepped forward.

With a faint apologetic smile, he said, “Sorry to bother you, Miss Ji. I couldn’t help but look again because you seem so familiar. May I ask—did you attend university in Beicheng?”

Ji Shu frowned slightly but replied politely, “No, I went to university in Hangcheng.”

The man nodded thoughtfully. “Then I must have mistaken you. Three years ago, I saw someone who looked very much like you at a friend’s birthday party. My apologies for the confusion.”

Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion behind them.

Ji Shu turned to see Lu Jinchuan entering, surrounded by a throng of people.

As soon as Lu Jinchuan stepped through the door, the scattered guests in the banquet hall surged forward, and the atmosphere instantly warmed.

In Beicheng, wealthy families had their hierarchies, and the Lu family stood at the pinnacle.

Lu Jinchuan was one of Beicheng’s most influential figures.

As the CEO of Shijia Media and heir to the Lu conglomerate, he commanded both respect and submission.

Seated prominently at the center, Lu Jinchuan was surrounded by a chorus of sycophants, while Ji Shu remained on the outskirts.

At some point, Gao Xia had slid beside her, speaking with a venomous tone, “Xu Xingyuan stands so calmly beside your husband; her ambition to rise is blatant.”

Ji Shu retorted, “He’s my ex-husband.”

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“He’s not even divorced yet? I’ll go up and give her a lesson on marriage law,” Gao Xia stormed off.

Ji Shu was momentarily stunned before hurrying after her.

“Lu Shao, when are we going skiing in Northern Europe again? The last time we met was sea fishing in Croatia.”

“Lu Shao, I heard there’s a decent ski resort in Jicheng. Maybe next time we can arrange a ski outing there.”

“I heard Ke Jin just bought a wine cellar and was planning a wine tasting event. Why hasn’t there been any news?”

“Lu Shao, why are you late? It’s Xingyuan’s first day back, and you’re barely showing up.”

Every word from the crowd echoed clearly in Ji Shu’s ears.

The wealthy young scions sat in a circle, eagerly discussing skiing, sea fishing, and fine wine...

Though this was supposed to be Xu Xingyuan’s welcome party, it had morphed into Lu Jinchuan’s personal stage for fame and fortune.

Lu Jinchuan remained silent, but Xu Xingyuan responded eagerly to every comment, “Jinchuan isn’t late. He just went to buy me a cake.”

Ji Shu’s feet froze. Xu Xingyuan’s words silently pierced her heart.

She recalled the phone call that had hung up so quickly earlier—it turned out he had been busy buying a cake for Xu Xingyuan.

“The cake shop staff brought the cake in, saying, ‘President Lu is so thoughtful toward Sister Xingyuan. Knowing she’s allergic to eggs, he specially chose a cake without eggs.’” Someone’s comment sent the atmosphere soaring.

Xu Xingyuan shyly glanced at Lu Jinchuan, but his gaze was not on her at all.

Following his eyes, she saw them fixed on Ji Shu, standing alone at the edge of the crowd.

Lu Jinchuan, who had been looking downward, lifted his head and stared at Ji Shu across the room.

Their eyes met.

One stood, one sat; one tall, one shorter.

One’s gaze was raised, the other lowered.

In truth, Lu Jinchuan had been watching for some time. The moment he entered, he noticed a man standing before Ji Shu.

They seemed to be talking, and the man even smiled shyly.

Since his arrival, nearly everyone had greeted Lu Jinchuan—everyone except Ji Shu, who had not once looked him in the eye.

His hand tightened imperceptibly around his wine glass; his throat moved as he said, “Ji Shu, come here.”

Those five words drew the attention of everyone within several meters.

---

Why was Lu Jinchuan calling her? Was he trying to embarrass her?

Or was he trying to show all the wealthy heirs in Beicheng the magnanimity of Mrs. Lu?

No, aside from Xu Xingyuan and Gao Xia, no one here knew Lu Jinchuan was married.

Gao Xia strained on tiptoe and gave Ji Shu a meaningful look, signaling her to step forward.

Ji Shu pretended not to see Gao Xia’s glance, nor to hear Lu Jinchuan’s call, and turned away.

Gao Xia’s expression was one of frustration at her stubbornness.

Ji Shu moved to the other side of the hall, where few people were gathered.

She stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, lowering her head to find her hands clenched tightly. A dull ache blossomed deep within her chest.

In that moment, Ji Shu had to admit her sorrow, her jealousy, her own pitiable state.

The difference between love and indifference was so stark, so vast.

Lu Jinchuan remembered Xu Xingyuan’s egg allergy well enough to scour Beicheng for a cake without eggs, yet he never knew she was allergic to pineapple, even once serving her a dish with pineapple at the Lu residence.

Sitting side by side, Lu Jinchuan and Xu Xingyuan looked every bit the perfect couple—talented, beautiful, well-matched.

They occupied the center, while she stood on the fringes, like a thief gazing longingly at an unattainable happiness.

If the person who had married Lu Jinchuan all those years ago had truly been him, they would have been happy.

The thought squeezed her chest painfully once more.

Whether it was the lingering effects of a cold or hunger from not eating much, her head began to swim.

Ji Shu steadied herself against the window, trying to gather strength, when a shadow suddenly fell over her, as if a pause button had been pressed.

“Why didn’t you come when I called earlier?”

Lu Jinchuan’s voice, devoid of emotion, came from above. Ji Shu glanced back at him silently.

He read the subtle expression in her eyes, his fingertips unconsciously pressing harder as he said, “You ignore me but smile at other men. Ji Shu, are you trying to prove you’re guilty of infidelity?”

“If your eyesight is poor, go see a doctor. If your language skills are lacking, find a teacher. Me talking to someone isn’t cheating—Shijia Media might as well switch to building railways.”

Ji Shu refused to engage in such childish banter and tried to slip away, but her hand was caught. After a twirl, she found herself in Lu Jinchuan’s embrace.